Probe of Des Moines police dog's death continues

The Des Moines department is still investigating the death of a police dog.

Police spokesman Chris Scott told The Des Moines Register that he didn't know whether a necropsy on the dog's body had been completed. The animal autopsy will determine the cause of death. Scott says it's believed the dog's death was heat-related.

The body of Harley, a 7-year-old Labrador retriever assigned to the narcotics team, was found in the unmarked patrol car on the afternoon of Aug. 29. The air temperature had already reached the low 90s.

Harley's body was found by his human partner, Officer Brian Mathis.

Investigators are checking how long Harley was left inside the vehicle and whether the air conditioner was on or any windows were rolled down.

Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.